Get to know us

Course Instructors

Jeff Reese is a black belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu with over two decades of experience and has trained with two generations of the Gracie family with the privilege of having three time UFC champion and hall of fame fighter Royce Gracie as a primary mentor.

Jeff has worked with officers from various departments and agencies including PSP, USP Canaan, Pennsylvania Probation and Parole, DCNR, Scranton PD, Wilkes-Barre PD and many more local municipalities. In 2023 Jeff received a civil service commendation from the Pennsylvania State Police for his dedication to working with law enforcement.

Jeff is among the most sought after defensive tactics instructors in Pennsylvania and has championed the implementation of Gracie Jiu Jitsu into various department’s defensive tactics programs. He holds instructor certifications from the Gracie family themselves and instructs daily defensive tactics classes at Gracie NEPA HQ in Olyphant.

Chuck Maiorana spent nearly 30 years in law enforcement and recently retired after 25 years of service with the Pennsylvania State Police. He has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2008 and is a Gracie NEPA brown belt under Jeff Reese.

Chuck was one of the premier defensive tactics instructors in the Pennsylvania State Police. He was a pioneer and the constant driving force in the implementation of Gracie Jiu Jitsu into the department’s defensive tactics program. He holds multiple instructor certifications from the Gracie family themselves and instructed weekly defensive tactics classes for the Pennsylvania State Police and local / municipal officers while he served.

Chuck is also a certified instructor of our MOPETC approved / CLEE certified Gracie NEPA LEO Program and was instrumental in developing its curriculum alongside Jeff Reese. He also serves as one of the jiu jitsu coaches at the Gracie NEPA HQ Academy.